Best Online LPN-to-RN Programs

Moving from LPN to RN widens your scope, raises your earning potential, and gives you more autonomy, since LPNs (called LVNs in Texas and California) work many of their day-to-day tasks under RN or physician supervision. The first step is earning an associate degree (ADN) or a bachelor's (BSN) in nursing. Online LPN-to-RN programs offer a flexible, cost-effective path. The programs below were verified in November 2025; confirm current tuition and requirements with each school before you apply.

Programs

Frostburg State University

Frostburg's online LPN-to-BSN program is open to students nationwide, and graduates can sit for the NCLEX-RN in the state of their choice. The program requires 78 to 79 credits, including 50 nursing credits in courses such as pharmacology and population health, plus a pre-licensure capstone. You complete 480 clinical practicum hours in adult, pediatric, maternal, population-health, and psychiatric and mental-health nursing at local facilities. The program is CCNE-accredited, test-optional, and grants licensed LPNs 15 credits for an unencumbered license. Tuition runs $311 per credit in-state, $484 regional, and $641 out-of-state, with a $45 nonrefundable application fee.

North Dakota State University

NDSU's LPN-to-BSN track emphasizes faceto-face faculty access, with on-campus requirements and a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students take at least six credits per semester, most carrying six to nine, and complete five to six weeks of clinical experience in the Fargo/Moorhead area during the summer. The curriculum is tailored for working LPNs, 94 percent of graduates are employed or continuing their education, and the program is CCNE-accredited. The program does not currently accept students from California, Nevada, New York, or Maryland. Tuition is $484 per credit for North Dakota residents, $542 for Minnesota residents, and $726 for nonresidents, with one spring start date. Admission requires four National League for Nursing placement exams at $35 each.

Saint Ambrose University

Saint Ambrose's online LPN-to-BSN centers on clientcentered care, human dignity, and social justice. The 55-credit program runs 21 months fulltime or 30 months parttime, with courses in integrated care, health assessment, pathophysiology, and evidence-based practice, plus simulation-based clinical practice. Students can add an optional 18-credit certificate in Spanish for health and human-services professionals. Fulltime and parttime students pay $615 per credit, totaling $33,825, and licensed LPNs earn four credits toward the degree. The program is open to students with an active LPN license in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, 31 prerequisite credits, and a $100 matriculation fee.

University of Sioux Falls

USF's online LPN-to-BSN is a faith-based program built around servant leadership, and it includes three theology credits within its liberal-arts core. The 59-credit curriculum covers applied pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, mental-health and high-acuity clinicals, and a capstone, and it accommodates working adults. Every first-time, fulltime freshman receives merit, performance, or need-based aid, and 99 percent of graduates secure employment or graduate education within six months. LPNs entering the program receive 30 credits toward graduation. Tuition is $390 per credit. Admission requires a background check, an active LPN license, a minimum 2.75 GPA in LPN coursework, and three letters of recommendation, with in-person clinicals in Sioux Falls.

University of South Alabama

USA's online LPN-to-RN program offers spring, summer, and fall start dates and suits working LPNs in or near Mississippi and Alabama. It requires 48 nursing credits in evidence-based practice, foundations in clinical nursing, clinical nutrition, health assessment, and healthcare trends, plus 62 general-education credits. All upper-division courses must be completed at USA, since those credits do not transfer. Three pathways are available depending on whether you hold a non-nursing bachelor's and whether your LPN program was regionally accredited. The program is CCNE-accredited, and graduates qualify for the NCLEX-RN. Tuition is $423 per credit in-state and $846 out-of-state, with clinical rotations completed in person in Alabama or Mississippi under USA faculty supervision.

What to Look For in an Online LPN-to-RN Program

Start with indicators of academic quality, then weigh fit and logistics.

Admission requirements. Most programs require a minimum GPA and a valid practical-nursing license to confirm you can handle a fast-paced curriculum.

Curriculum. LPN-to-ADN and LPN-to-BSN programs share similar core courses and clinical training, but a BSN adds focused leadership, public-health, and research coursework.

Clinical experience. Programs require anywhere from 200 to 500 clinical hours. Some let distance learners arrange local placements; others require travel to approved sites.

Accreditation. Accreditation by ACEN or CCNE signals that a program meets professional standards. It also determines RN-license eligibility, access to federal financial aid, and credit transfer.

Program length. An LPN-to-ADN can take as little as 12 to 18 months; an LPN-to-BSN runs two to three years. Accelerated tracks are shorter.

NCLEX pass rate and graduation rate. A pass rate at or above the national average suggests strong teaching, and a high graduation rate points to a supportive learning environment.

Online format. Programs use live sessions, recorded lectures, and hybrid delivery. Match the format to your schedule, and pay close attention to clinical requirements for online learners.

Why Accreditation Matters

Every program in this list is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation matters because state boards require an accredited degree for RN licensure, accredited programs follow best practices, federal aid is limited to accredited schools, graduate nursing programs require an accredited BSN, and credits from accredited programs transfer more easily.

How These Programs Work

Online LPN-to-RN programs offer a flexible, often less expensive alternative to fully in-person learning. You may meet faculty and classmates over video conferencing or watch recorded lectures on your own schedule, and hybrid formats combine remote and in-person work. Some programs let you complete all non-clinical coursework remotely, while others require a few on-campus sessions. Depending on the program, you may arrange your own clinical placements or travel to approved sites.

Applying

Requirements vary by degree level and institution, but all programs require an LPN or LVN credential from an accredited nursing program.

Admission requirements. Submit proof of completion of an accredited LPN/LVN program and your practical-nursing license. Some programs prefer work experience or require an entrance exam such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills.

Admission materials. Expect to provide official transcripts, proof of completed clinical hours, proof of LPN licensure, BLS/CPR certification, letters of recommendation, and employer verification letters.

GPA. Requirements range from a 2.0 to 3.0 overall GPA, and some programs require a minimum 2.75 in prerequisite coursework.

Paying for Your Program

Start with the FAFSA to determine eligibility for government grants and loans; many states and schools use it to award aid. If you are working, check whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement, since some healthcare organizations partner with nursing schools for discounts. You can also pursue school-sponsored and privately funded scholarships, some aimed at specific groups such as first-generation students or adult learners. Federal and state loan-forgiveness and repayment programs are available to nurses who work in high-need areas.

What You Can Do With an ADN or BSN

Both degrees prepare graduates for routine clinical work such as monitoring patients, administering medication, and updating charts. An ADN is the fastest route to RN licensure, but a BSN positions you for advancement: more employers prefer or require a BSN, and research has linked higher shares of BSN-trained nurses to better patient outcomes. A BSN also makes leadership roles and graduate programs more accessible. Weigh your short-term and long-term goals when choosing a pathway. Popular RN specialties include:

Critical care nurse. Critical care nurses monitor critically ill or injured patients in ICUs and emergency departments. Per August 2025 Payscale data, they earn an average base salary of $81,920.

Surgical nurse. Surgical nurses provide care before, during, and after procedures in surgical units, outpatient clinics, and physician offices. Per February 2025 Payscale data, they earn an average of $77,993.

Geriatric nurse. Geriatric nurses care for older adults managing conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Per September 2025 Payscale data, this in-demand specialty pays an average base salary of $78,120.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can an LPN become an RN? LPNs can earn an ADN and qualify for RN licensure in as little as 12 to 18 months through an LPN-to-RN bridge program that prepares them for the NCLEX-RN.

Are there bridge programs for LPNs? Yes. LPN-to-ADN programs are the fastest route to licensure, and LPN-to-BSN options let you earn a bachelor's at the same time.

Can I complete an LPN-to-RN program online? Yes. These programs combine online coursework with in-person clinical requirements and can take as little as 12 to 18 months.

Is it worth it? Becoming an RN increases earning potential, clinical responsibility, and job options, and it opens the door to leadership and advanced-practice roles.